-ii- sails on with enthusiasm.
Following the release of their latest album, the band – whose name is pronounced “two eyes” – led by singer Hélène Ruzic and multi-instrumentalist Benjamin Racine is releasing a new collection of compositions this year titled Ars Erotica Volume I.
We kick things off with No Angels Allowed, an ethereal opening track featuring intriguing percussion that eventually gives way to Hélène’s voice, adding a touch of mystery to the already rather dark atmosphere as the instrumental shifts into a hazy, heady groove. The track flows seamlessly into The Excess, the next song, which immediately feels heavier, almost even unsettling, while the singer brings a distinctly sensual touch that fits perfectly with the theme of this mini-album and allows them to unfold within the darkness. It flows seamlessly into Forbidden Door, a slightly more minimalist and almost intimate composition that alternately gives each element its moment before weaving them into the mix for more intricate passages before coming to a close. No Shame takes over, occasionally trading its touch of softness for ethereal shoegaze roots or a few background choruses, and then we discover another, almost tremulous sonic facet with Flying Ropes, as the band blends almost organic beats with a much denser dissonance. At times, it feels suffocating when it drags on, but Licorice comes along to free us from it and weave its own, sometimes quite similar but much more jagged, allowing us a few moments of respite while the choruses are rather rhythmic, almost playful. We arrive at Supreme, an anthem to the liberation of female desire and consent that the band renders intoxicating through its dark tones, before finally giving way to Liquid Love, the final track where the atmosphere becomes heavy once more but remains relatively accessible, as if the band wanted to draw us in one last time before bidding us farewell.
It’s sometimes difficult to tackle such a subject without veering into the risqué, but that’s where -ii-’s subtlety comes in. Ars Erotica Volume 1 continues to navigate a wide range of influences, but the intoxicating blend perfectly serves its purpose.
75/100
